Charles r



c.n.KEERAN. COMBINED' ERASER AND LEAD HOLDER.

y v APPLICAIION FllfD AUG.29, 1921.

Patented oen-17,192.21

Patented Oct. 17, 1922.

- UNITED STATES PATENT liiil..

CHARLES R. KEERAN, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO REALITE PENCIL MANU-FACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO7 ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

COMBINED ERASER AND LEAD HOLDER.

Application filed August 29, 1921.

To all whom it may concern.'

, hence convenient to carry, and also inexpensive to produce.

Embodiments of my invention in certain preferred forms are herewithshown in the accompanying drawing in the manner following:

Figure l is a perspective view of one holder;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section therethrough;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a modified construction, the walls beingbroken away in part to exhibit the interior thereof;

Fig. 4 illustrates in longitudinal section a still further modification,and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in section of one further modification.

The present holder is shown to be in the form of a tube A, made in anyappropriate manner, as by drawing, bending, spiral winding or otherwise.The diameter of this tube at each end is such as to frictionally receivean eraser B, commonly made of rubber, the same being compressed slightlywhen fitted in place.

As shown in Fig. 2, each eraser may be inserted for the greater portionof its length into one tube end. If desired, means may be provided fordefinitely limiting the entry of the two erasers, consisting of inwardlyprojecting elements which are preferably in the form of annular beads 5.The two beads are situated from each other a suitable distance which isdetermined with reference to the length of the leads C, which are to beaccommodated within the holder. As shown, a number of such leads may bearranged in place, their ends being preferably rested upon the beadsclose to the inner ends of the two erasers. It is obvious thattheerasers provide a closure for each end of the tube, so as to securelyretain the leads in place',

Serial No. 496,245.

and it is further apparent that by the use of stop means to limit theentry distance of the erasers, the latter are prevented from pressingagainst the leads.

In Fig. 3 is showna modication of the structure just described, butresembling the same in that use is made of a tube A whose two ends areclosed by erasers B between which the leads C are retained. It will benoted, however, that the tube in this construction is slightly longer soas to almost completely7 cover the cylindrical walls of the eraserswhich are located the same distance apart as in Fig. l. To facilitateremovalof the erasers, I have shown a slit 6 in the form of an open slotwhich extends longitudinally from each end of the tube to a pointslightly beyond the bead 5. From this it results there is providedthrough the walls of the tube an opening which lies in part rearwardlyof the erasers, thereby permitting a small implement to be insertedbehind the erasers to facilitate their ejection from the holder.

Referring now to Fig. 4, I have shown therein a construction which isthe same as that disclosed in Fig. l with the exception that no meansare provided for limiting the distance of entry of the two erasers; inother words, this construction dispenses with the beads 5. A holder soconstructed is used exactly like the others, but the` erasers may bepushed in, if desired, to a point where they will engage the oppositeends of the leads, but no further. This holder construction may be usedsuccessfully with leads that do not break easily, but the constructionsof Figs. l and 3 are to be preferred where fragile leads, such asindelible, are to be received within the holder.

In Fig. 5 will be noted a further development of the invention hereindisclosed. The tube A in this construction is of reduced diameterthroughout its central p0rtion 7, a shoulder 8 being formed near eachend where the tube diameter is enlarged sufficiently to receive aneraser B. It will be apparent that the shoulder provides a stop forarresting inward movement of the eraser, and that the central portion ofthe tube is designed to receive a lesser number of leads than in theother constructions heretofore disclosed. Owing to the restricted leadcapacity of the holder shown in Fig. 5, wherein the accommodation for isin decided contrast to the containers or cartons which have usually beenemployed for articles such as leads and erasers, the cost of suchcontainers commonly exceeding the value or" the merchandise which theycontain.

I claim l. A holder for leads and erasers comprising a tube whose lengthexceeds that of the leads therewithin, and means tor closing each end ofthe tube consisting of an eraser frictionally fitted therein and adaptedto lie close to the proximate end of the leads, substantially asdirected.

2. A holder for leads and erasers cornprising a tube within which leadsmay be accommodated in their entirety and in which an eraser may bepartly received at each end, and means within the tube for determiningthe distance to which each eraser may enter therein, substantially asdescribed.

3. A holder for leads and erasers comprising a tube having an inwardlyformed bead remote from each end, the tube being adapted to contain aplurality of leads whose length is substantially equal to the distancebetween the two beads, and an eraser tted into each end of the tube,andv abutting the proximate bead to thereby protect the leads againstpressure therefrom, substantially as described.

il. A holder of the kind described comprising a cylindrical tube whoseends are open, a compressible eraser fitted tightly into each tube endand disposed in part eXteriorly thereof, and a plurality of leadscarried in the tube between the two erasers, substantially as described.

5. A holder of the kind described coniprising a tube having a slittherein extending longitudinally from one end/thereof, an eraser fittedinto the tube end and extending therein Jfor a distance less thanthe'length 0f the slit, and a plurality of leads contained within thetube and bead and held against removal therefrom at one end by theeraser, substantially as described.

CHARLES R. KEERAN.

Witness:

EPHRAIM BANNING.

